Local kids get to interact, become friends with Wonder Boys, Golden SunsBy Sean IngramSports Editor

Boys and girls between the ages of 5-12 play sports at school, at home, on the playground, in the back yard and watch college and professional sports on TV.

How great would it be to get to know their favorite college student-athletes in their favorite sports? They could talk to them after a big win and high-five them when they're entering the stadium or when they come to their school. The kids would know their "stars" on a first name basis and can get more up close and personal than what they see on TV.

More than 100 children got to enjoy the excitement of Arkansas Tech University athletics last year. Kelly Davis, Tech's director of corporate and athletic relations, and Steve Mullins, head football coach and athletic director, want to see more little future Wonder Boys and Golden Suns when football and volleyball begin play in August.

Registration is $10 and includes admission to every Tech home football and basketball game during 2008-09, a Little Techster Kids Klub football and opportunities during the year to meet Tech student-athletes and coaches. Davis explained the program was very well received last year, the program's first year, and he and the Tech athletic family hope more Little Techsters join up this year.

"We are proud to offer this program to area youth again this year," Davis said. "Arkansas Tech sporting events are all about providing a family atmosphere at an affordable price, and the Little Techster Kids Klub is a great example of our commitment to those ideals."

In addition, members receive a membership card, their ticket to all home football and basketball games. McDonald's of Russellville returns as the Little Techster Kids Klub sponsor for a second consecutive year. Davis said the program wouldn't be possible without McDonald's, which is within sight of two of Tech's sports, football and baseball.

"We could not do this without the partnership with Kristy and Brad Allen and the folks at McDonald's," Davis pointed out. "We are very grateful for their support."

Mullins said two main aspects came to his mind when told about the idea of the program last year.

"Just the aspect of exposure to college athletes," Mullins said. "The initiative with (NCAA) Division II is we are still very much a community-involved athletic organization, as opposed to a typical (NCAA) Division I school where everything is very removed. This is just another way of getting local children involved in Arkansas Tech athletics. Kelly should get all the credit. He's done a great job with this program."

Mullins also mentioned members of Tech athletics have been involved for several years in community service projects with elementary and middle school children in the Russellville and surrounding areas, not to mention summer athletic camps on the Tech campus that attract young players from throughout Arkansas.

Kids who wear their Little Techster Kids Klub T-shirts when accompanied by an adult receive free admission to Tech regular-season home football and basketball games. If they go to a Russellville McDonald's before or after games, they will get one free dollar menu item per visit (see restaurant for details). They also get a club newsletter and birthday announcements at games, and can be introduced with players at selected baseball and softball games.

"Obviously, you can see how excited children are," Mullins said. "These kids will come up to our players and the attitude is, we're no different than the Dallas Cowboys to them. The guys and girls are looked up to as great athletes, and they're right there with the kids on the court, in the locker room, and getting high fives from kids makes our guys feel good. Our guys get pumped up when there's a bunch of those school-aged children before and after games. You can see the look in their faces."

Tech opens its football season at 7 p.m. Aug. 28 against Northeastern State (Okla.) at Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field.

The Little Techsters Kids Klub registration brochure is available on the Tech athletics Web site, www.athletics.atu.edu. Call 968-0337 for more information.